Small groups and Bible Studies are an integral part of Clemson Wesley’s ministry. The number of students involved in these groups has grown tremendously over the past five years. Students from all walks of life have found a place where they are accepted as they as are, and yet are challenged to grow in their discipleship. It is no coincidence that as our overall ministry increases so does the small group ministry. Many believers come away from their small groups not only with a deeper understanding of faith but most have made close friends to make the journey with them. All of Wesley's small groups are open to new members. If you are interested in joining one or would like more information, please let us know. We’d love for you to share with us as we seek to follow and become more like Christ. Men's Groups: Men's Accountability Group (This group is closed for the spring) Led by Jad Taylor Time and Location: TBD Started last fall, this small group is focused on encouraging and challenging one another in our faith. For more information or to sign up, email Jad at jdt@clemson.edu. Men's Discussion Group Led by Ryan Spurrier Time and Location: TBD In this small group that has been meeting for several semesters, we gather weekly to discuss whatever is on our hearts concerning Scripture, Christian traditions, current events or anything else relating to the application of faith to everyday life. Our group is always open to new members and new ideas for what to study. We look at how God is working on us now and how we, as a community, can interpret and discern how to respond. Our group has traditionally studied various parts of the New Testament and, on occasion, the Old Testament (Hebrew Scriptures) as well. For more information or to sign up, email Ryan at rspurri@clemson.edu. Mere Christianity Study Led by Steve Simoneaux and Greg Gunn Time and Location: Tuesdays, 5:30 pm in the Wesley Basement (beginning Sept. 4) We'll spend the first two weeks getting to know one another and doing some team building activities. Several weeks later we'll begin a study of C.S. Lewis' classic, Mere Christianity. The group will be comprised of guys ranging from freshmen to grad students hopefully. For more information or to sign up, email Steve at simoneaux@alumni.clemson.edu or Greg at ggunn@clemson.edu. Book of Acts Bible Study Led by Bryan Galloway and Chris Conley Time and Location: Tuesdays @ 7:30 pm (locations will vary) We'll be studying the Book of Acts and how the early followers of Jesus responded to the Good News of the Resurrection. The group is comprised of guys ranging from freshmen to grad students. For more information or to sign up, email Bryan at bpgallo@clemson.edu or Chris at wconley@clemson.edu. Women's Groups: Freshmen Girls Group Led by Melissa Whitson and Bethany Moebs Time and Location: Mondays, 8 pm in Holmes Hall When we move away to college, it is not always easy to stay true to the beliefs and values we are surrounded by at home. We will focus our study on figuring out how to live like a Christian when it seems like no else is. Although we will pull from all parts of the Bible, we will focus on the guidelines described by Paul in Romans 12. For more information or to sign up, email Melissa at mewhits@clemson.edu or Bethany at bmoebs@clemson.edu. Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World Book Study (NEW THIS SPRING) Led by Heather Cox and Ashley Welton Time and Location: 7 pm Tuesdays (location to be determined) In this group we will be studying Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World as we seek to discover how to grow closer to God in our ever changing busy lives. We will also discuss any topics in relation to leaving college and the changes associated with graduating and beginning careers that members would like to talk about. This group will be lead by several recent grads and is geared toward upperclass(wo)men preparing to enter into the working world. For more information or to sign up, email Heather at hlcox@alumni.clemson.edu or Ashley at awelton@alumni.clemson.edu. Women's Bible Study (This group is closed for the spring) Led by Christen Aprati and Amber Abrams Time and Location: 5 - 6:30 pm Thursdays @ University Terrace Apartments In this small group that has been meeting for several semesters, we'll be reading John and Stasi Eldredge's new book, Captivating: Unveiling the Mystery of a Woman's Soul, and focusing on growing closer as a small group. For more information, email Christen at caprati@clemson.edu or Amber at abrams@clemson.edu .
Women's Bible Study Led by Jess Childs Time and Location: TBD While this small group that has been meeting for several semesters, Jess Childs will be assuming the role of leader this semester. After studying Donald Miller's Blue Like Jazz last semester, the group will be studying When Bad Christians Happen to Good People by Dave Burchett this semester. This group plans to focus on holding one another accountable to preparing for small group and other things that the members desire. For more information, contact Jess at jchilds@clemson.edu. Co-ed Groups: The "Adventure Study" Group Led by Chris and Ashley Manley Time and Location: Tuesdays @ 7 pm, Chris and Ashley's apartment (email for directions) This co-ed small group will be meeting for its sixth semester, with not only returnees but hopefully some new faces too. This semester we'll be reading Kyle Lake's Understanding God's Will: How to Hack the Equation without Formulas together and talking about it. Kyle was the pastor of UBC Waco (David Crowder's home church) but tragically passed away in 2005. He also wrote (Re)Understanding Prayer, a book we really enjoyed studying in the past. There are a variety of book and video studies we've done together over the past few years including Brian McLaren's A Generous Orthodoxy, portions of David Crowder's Praise Habit, Rob Bell's Nooma videos, Velvet Elvis and Sex God. For more information (including directions), email Chris at gcmanley@gmail.com. Call to Conversion Study Group Led by Lane Glaze Time and Location: Wednesdays, 4 - 5:15 pm @ Clemson UMC (resumes Jan. 16th) Started last spring, this group began meeting to read and discuss Jim Wallis' book, The Call to Conversion. Since then, the group has continued to be in conversation about how to live what some would call the "radical" claims of the Gospel that Wallis and others have been espousing for several decades now. How are we caring for the poor? How are we practicing peace? How are we caring for the earth? How are we working to eliminate racism, poverty and injustice in our churches and world? The group, comprised of students and others of all ages, will be reading and discussing a variety of articles this spring. For more information or to sign up, email Lane at glaze@clemson.edu. College-Aged Sunday School Class Led by Joey and Charlotte Branyon Time and Location: Sunday mornings @10 am at Clemson UMC This Sunday School class meets weekly and is open to all. Currently the group is studying C.S. Lewis' Mere Christianity. For more information or a ride, contact Charlotte at cag483@hotmail.com or Joey at JoeyBranyon@anderson5.net. Couples Discussion Group (NEW THIS SPRING) Led by Anne and Lane Glaze Time and Location: Wednesdays, 8 - 9 pm at the Glazes' home in downtown Clemson For the first time in several semesters Anne and Lane Glaze will be co-leading a group for couples at their home this semester. Designed for couples who are dating seriously, engaged or possibly talking marriage, the group will gather once a week to share together for an hour and receive their "assignment" for the next week. Outside of our weekly meetings each couple will be invited to engage in conversations about topics (family backgrounds, vocational goals, establishing a home and family, communicating effectively, faith, etc.) that are key to building a long-term, healthy relationship. Limited to five or six couples, the group will meet for 9 weeks, beginning January 16th and ending before CU's spring break. For more information or to sign up, email Lane at glaze@clemson.edu. Disciple I Bible Study (Morning Group) (This group is closed for the spring) Led by Lane Glaze Time and Location: Thursdays, 9:15 - 11:30 am @ Clemson UMC We'll meet on Thursday mornings from September thru May (excluding breaks) as we read, study and survey the Scriptures, from Genesis to Revelation. With Disciple is designed to be a covenant group, this group will be closed to new members after the first few weeks. If the Bible has never made much sense to you, then this is the group for you. The group will be comprised of students and others of all ages. For more information or to sign up, email Lane at glaze@clemson.edu. What Did He Say and What Did He Do? (NEW THIS SPRING) Led by Lane Glaze Time and Location: Wednesdays, 9:15 - 10:30 am @ Clemson UMC (beginning Jan. 16) This 9-week small group will study in detail the fifth through ninth chapters of the Gospel of Matthew, including Jesus' most famous teaching, The Sermon on the Mount. If you are interested in learning more about Jesus' interpretation and application of the Law and the actions that led so many to be "amazed," then this is the perfect study for you. Our last meeting will be the Wednesday before Clemson University's Spring Break on March 12th. All ages are welcome, and childcare can be arranged if needed. For more information or to sign up, email Lane at glaze@clemson.edu. Monday Night Discussion Group Led by Louis Henry Time and Location: Mondays, 7:30 pm @ Clemson UMC For almost three decades Louis Henry has been leading "students" of all ages in evening discussion groups. Over the years, hundreds of students have found in Louis a "pastor" and life-long friend. The Monday Night group is comprised of folks of all ages, including always several current students or recent graduates. If you are interested in a group that will challenge you to love God with not only your whole heart but also your whole mind, then Louis' group is the one for you. For more information or a ride, call Mikey Cook 803-448-6245 or Jeff Melton at 864-593-4713. New Beginnings Group Led by Tine Melen Time and Location: TBD Started last semester, this small group is focused on transfer students and upperclassmen who may be new to Wesley. Participants will not struggle if they miss a week because we will not be studying a book but rather discussing a variety of topics (to be selected by the group). We hope that members of the group will share in the leadership/facilitation role throughout the semester. For more information or to sign up, email Tine at cmelen@clemson.edu Ubuntu Group Led by Lane Glaze and Juston Brown Time and Location: TBD In cooperation with the CU Gospel Choir, CW is offering an intense covenant group opportunity this fall based on the concept of ubuntu, one of the founding principles for the new South Africa. Ubuntu can mean many different things, but the interconnectedness of humanity underlies each understanding. Some understand ubuntu as "I am in you and you are in me" or "As you go so I go." Diverse in its makeup, each group will focus their conversation and energy on how people living in Clemson, the South and throughout the world might begin to live as one. If you might be interested in this experience, email Lane at glaze@clemson.edu or Juston at justonb@clemson.edu. Wednesday Morning Eucharistic Fellowship Led by Lane Glaze and Matt Lemieux Time and Location: Wednesdays, 8:30 am @ Clemson UMC Open to any and everyone of all ages, this group gathers on Wednesday mornings for Scripture readings, prayers and a celebration of Holy Communion. Folks are encouraged to gather in silence beginning at 8:15 am with the 30-minute liturgy starting at 8:30 am. For more information or a ride, email Lane at glaze@clemson.edu or Matt at mlemieu@clemson.edu.